In June 1942, Porsche of Stuttgart was ordered by Hitler to start designing a super heavy tank, mounting a 12.8cm gun, and having maximum possible armor. Trials were to commence in May 1943, however, many difficulties arose. For example, the air-cooled motor never materialized, and the V1 vehicle had to be fitted with a modified MB509 aircraft engine, the V2 with a MB517 diesel. The Porsche longitudinal torsion bar suspension had to be abandoned as there was insufficient space for the number of stations needed to carry the continually growing weight. Meanwhile, an order had been placed for a production series of 150, but in October 1943, that was cancelled. The V1 prototype was tested with a simulated turret in December 12943, and with a turret and armament in June 1944. The turretless V2 started tests in September 1944, but the engine was destroyed in an accident and was not replaced until April 1945. Both prototypes were eventually blown up at Kummelsdorf.

This particular 1:72 scale vehicle is on display at the Russian Kubinka War Museum and comes with a numbered certificate of authenticity and display case. Now in stock!

Historical Account: "Study War, No More" - Opened on September 10th, 1978, the Kubinka War Museum (Now known as the Museum of Armored Vehicles and Equipment) has one of the largest collections of armored vehicles in the world. Besides Russian-built equipment, vehicles from 11 different foreign nationalities are represented. The 290 items range from 3-ton light tanks and armored cars to the 180-ton 'Maus' super-heavy tank. There are 40 self-propelled guns covering everything from 57- to 600-caliber, 30 armored cars, 10 reconnaissance and command vehicles, and a variety of technical and engineering support vehicles.

The bulk of the foreign tanks on view in the collection was captured during World War II. Others were obtained by exchange with the British Armor Museum or were given by Soviet allies and client nations from items they captured in Viet Nam, Korea, Cuba, Middle East Wars, etc. Many prototype models are also on display demonstrating the length to which some countries were willing to go to win the war.